In many circles, Yves Saint Laurent is unequivocally regarded as one of the most influential designers of modern fashion. Costantino Della Gherardesca from VICE Magazine sat down with Stefano Pilati to discuss his tenure as head designer at YSL, learning along the way about the inspirations of the fashion industry, and why elegance may never be fashionable again. Click here to check out the full interview — a fascinating view inside one of the most influential brand names in the history of fashion.

My idea of elegance – and this refers to women as well as men – is that someone is elegant when he or she shows a good knowledge of what fits them, where you can find naturalness and self-esteem. Not showing off. Elegance is the idea of showing an optimistic depiction of oneself, and to lose oneself in the frivolity of style and fashion. Nowadays nobody gives a shit about being elegant, or chic. If you’re doing it, you’re doing it for yourself, because it’s your way of being. When you’re not thinking, “This is fashion,” and you’re not buying clothes to create statements, you’re on the right path.